Headed to Danga bay in the fast boat for briefings all morning. They wanted us to bring all our boats to Danga Bay for the official dinner but of course none of us wanted to move our boats once we were safely ensconced into Peturi Marina. Had the briefing and some lunch then when we went to catch the fast boat back it was very very late but when it arrived it had been picked up by the police and were accused of operating a taxi without a licence. They pointed out that they were not receiving remuneration but it made no difference so Peturi put taxis on for us all to get back. The timing of the police picking up our boat was very interesting!! Still no-one took their boat to Danga Bay. Peturi put on buses to take us all in for the official welcome dinner which was unfortunately totally washed out by very heavy rain. We were all sent inside to the restaurants and had to go outside to get the special meal which had been prepared for us and all the officials and sponsors. Must have been devastating for the organisers. By the time the entertainment started it was 10.30 and we had to catch the bus back. They had gone to so much trouble and it was a shame it got rained out thought I think the entertainment went through to the early hours.
DAY 193 - Sunday 1 November - Petur Harbour
Caught the Peturi Harbour bus to the brand new shopping centre and did some supermarket shopping. There was another dinner at Dangar Bay but we were dinnered out and stayed at the Harbour and had dinner at the restaurant and then sat on the end of the dock just looking at the view. Some much needed quiet time.
DAY 194 - Monday 2 November - Peturi Harbour
We left at 7.30am to go on the tour which had been arranged for the rally participants. First we were taken to a big mosque - unusual architecture for a mosque. Then to old parliament house where we went to the top to see the view. All of the staff from this building have been or will be moved out to Peturi. We then went to where they make prawn crackers, a pineapple museum, a coconut farm (we think - as they gave people coconut juice to drink - but there was nothing there!). Had a lovely lunch which had been prepared at a Homestay place and then we went to a National Park to see the most southern point in SE Asia. Saw a couple of monkeys who looked a little threatening so Lazy Bones waited for us and we walked past together! Looked at the new Government buildings on the way back. Got back around 5.30 after a long day.
DAY 195 - Tuesday 3 November - Peturi Harbour
A day for doing chores - washing etc. Peter went to get immigration clearance, serviced the motor and arranged for fuel and topped up the water.
DAY 196 - Wednesday 4 November - Singapore
Left on the 9am bus to the bus station to go to Singapore - caught a bus and a train. When we arrived we unfortunately and unknowingly got picked up by a grandfatherly tout. We wanted to go to the Indian Quarter but somehow ended up in the Arab Quarter (I know!!) in a camera shop where we were like rabbits hypnotised by a snake and we believe we got ripped off! The tout then took us to a hotel which was more expensive than we wanted but after the two cheap places he showed us we decided to stay - then we had to pay him $20 for the privilege. Oh well - live and learn though we are still surprised that we were such easy pickings! The hotel was really lovely and we enjoyed the shops in the Arab Quarter. Obviously we don't recommend shopping in Singapore - those days I think are past. In fact we think the place to shop is Malaysia in their beautiful big airy new clean shopping centres where everything is priced and it is 3 ringetts to 1AUD.
DAY 197 - Thursday 5 November - Singapore
Happy Birthday little Rosie girl
I got new frames for my broken glasses and found a mah jong set. We caught the train and bus back and shared a cab back to Peturi with Tequila. Dell just made it back and was really ill - in bed for the rest of the day!
DAY 198 - Friday 6 November - Peturi
A quiet day to catch up and recuperate and skype Amy and Jessie. Checked the flights etc home for Christmas. Went for a late dinner and they had a really good band playing so we joined Cilantro and Wave Sweeper and hung around for a while.
Thats all for now folks - now we get ready for our journey through Malaysia. If it is half as good as Indonesia it will be fantastic.
Love to all
Fair Winds and Calm Seas
Dell and Peter
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